San José de Miranda & Tequia

Location:
Near Málaga, Málaga, Colombia

Trekking

By Lorraine Caputo

(Miranda: Altitude: 1980 meters/6496 feet; Population: 5,450)

Tequia was founded in 1539, but due to lack of water and being only two kilometers from Málaga, Padre Isidro Miranda moved the town four kilometers further on to the Valle de Cutaligua. A few yet live in Tequia, caretaking the ruins of the old parish church and the balneario, fresh-water swimming pools (even one for children). Hiking up a side road into the mountains, you can visit two ancient indigenous cemeteries, one at Vereda de Yerbabuena (preserved in situ at Señor Luis Jesús Gómez’ house) and the other at Vereda de Lucusguta. A rough dirt road to the left of the church ruins will take you past farms and brick kilns down to the main “highway” again and into San José de Miranda. A faux-High-Gothic church sits on the main plaza like a pastel-iced cake. Follow Carrera 4 out of town. To the right after about 500 meters (300 feet) is Balneario Rosales, another spring-fed pool with eucalyptus-fired sauna. About seven kilometers (four miles) down the left of Carrera 4, heading towards Bogotá, is Termales de Salado Bravo at Las Cuevas, undeveloped natural hot spring pools. Miranda celebrates its patron saint, Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, in February and the Fiesta de la Gallina (Hen Feast) in June. There are basic restaurants and an inn in Miranda.

Getting There
A taxi to Tequia costs $2.65 one way; colectivo taxi to Miranda is $0.65. Or walk to Tequia, the road begins from Calle 1 and Carrera 6C in Málaga.

Travel Tips: The Balneario de Tequia has a refreshment stand. The balnearios are guaranteed open Friday-Sunday and Monay holidays, though they are often open during the week, also. Entries: Balneario de Tequia--$0.80 adults, $0.50 children. Balneario Rosales—pool, $1.05; sauna, 1 hour $2.65, 2 hours $5.50. Termales de Salado Bravo—free.

Relative price: Very cheap

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Water, snacks, swimwear